Highlights

Proximity

Grade

Cycle from the glacier towns of Fox or Franz Josef through prehistoric forest to two of New Zealand's largest glaciers.

Overview

The West Coast is famous for two massive glaciers that stretch from high in the Southern Alps to lowland rainforest. What is less well known is that the Department of Conservation recently built two award-winning cycle trails from the towns of Franz Josef and Fox to the glaciers. They are by far the best way to travel to these incredible rivers of ice.

Riding the trail

You can ride right from town, through towering forest, to the glacier carparks. The surface is wide and smooth, and gently uphill to the car parks, which makes the return ride a breeze! If you only have time for one of the glacier tracks, choose the Fox (officially named Te Weheka Cycleway), as it takes you within sight of the glacier terminal.